Monday, December 2, 2013

Elite players tune up for postseason domination

If the next three weeks play out in similar fashion to Week
13’s games, then the strongest fantasy teams, from top to bottom, should walk
away with their leagues’ championships. In
other words, this doesn’t look like one of those years in which a roster comprised
of waiver-wire wonders and shooting stars is going to compete against the big
boys.

Fantasy owners savvy or lucky enough to have drafted Peyton
Manning are in the driver’s seat.But
the odds-on NFL MVP will have to keep the missiles firing to topple squads led
by Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Matt Stafford, Tony Romo and even, belatedly, Tom
Brady.

Nick Foles might have something to say about it, and Aaron
Rodgers is the ultimate wild card.But
teams with second-tier passers had better be awfully solid at the RB and WR
positions to run the postseason gauntlet.

Right on cue, the elite rushers are separating from the pack
as well.Adrian Peterson is closing out
the season in battering-ram style.Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch, Knowshon Moreno, Reggie
Bush and Matt Forte are workhorses we can trust.Heck, even CJ Spiller, Chris Johnson and
Maurice Jones-Drew are stepping up their games when it counts the most.

Second-tier backs like Ben Tate, Steven Jackson and DeMarco
Murray are well positioned to contribute meaningfully down the stretch.And thanks to the sheer volume of touches
they’re receiving, Zac Stacy and Le’Veon Bell have emerged as every-week
starters, provided they can stay healthy.

But woe to those banking on the likes of Bobby Rainey, Donald
Brown, Rashad Jennings and the incredible shrinking Ray Rice.Their postseason run is likely to be a brief
one.

Again, the top-tier wideouts are leaving little to chance.You have to feel confident heading into the playoffs
with Calvin Johnson, AJ Green, Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown and Denver’s prolific
trio.(Just please spare me another
Peyton Manning-Eric Decker buzz saw!)We’re also witnessing the emergence of three exceptional second-year
wideouts – Josh Gordon, Alshon Jeffery and Michael Floyd – that are staking
their claims to elite status.They
should not be benched under any circumstances.

Finally, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis and a
healthy Julius Thomas regularly give their owners a weekly advantage at the
tight end position that is difficult to overcome.

So, if you’re about to enjoy a first-round bye, I like your
chances to raise a tacky trophy at season’s end.That is, assuming the next few weekends are like
Week 13.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship,
it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the
season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at a couple
of players worth considering for your postseason run.

Catch ‘em while you
can

Jonathan Dwyer,
RB, Steelers.Those banking on Le’Veon
Bell must consider scooping up Dwyer, who would be pressed into the starting
lineup if Bell’s concussion symptoms don’t clear up quickly.On the positive side, Dwyer will be facing
the weak Dolphins run defense in Week 14.On the other hand, Dwyer is no Bell.

Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers.We’ve now seen that
Crabtree has recovered his explosiveness and he’s in reasonable sync with his
quarterback.He’s also still available
in the vast majority of leagues.Likely freed
from his precautionary snap count going forward, Crabtree can be very helpful
down the stretch.Grab him if you can.

Welcome home, Fools!

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About the Chief Fool

Ladd Biro was named 2010 "Football Writer of the Year" by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association -- the most prestigious recognition in the biz. In 2011, he won again -- the only two-time winner in the FSWA's history. He also won for "Best Humor Column of 2011," across all sports. He was a finalist for the FFWOY Award again in 2013 and 2014, but was denied the threepeat in the kind of bribery/shakedown/ payola scandal more commonly associated with FIFA. Ladd's nationally syndicated columns have appeared in more than 20 publications -- including the Dallas Morning News, San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Sun-Times and Sporting News magazine -- since 2003. Since 2009, all his written fantasy content can be found on the Fantasy Fools blog.